This is how it begins, my friends...

[theoldanarchist]

First it's something like this, which is so seemingly innocuous, but it sets the stage for much worse laws.

NJ Assemblyman introduces bill to force online identification
Jason Schultz says, Peter J. Biondi, NJ Assemblyman for District 16, has introduced A1327, a bill to force every ISP and website with comments/forums to demand user identification

Comments

[debord_saturday]

right. to stop defamation. What the fuck? like this Peter Biondi guy could even rightfully give a fuck if someone hated him or another government official, or even more so, some fellow poster. It is just fucking absurd, folks.

You are scum so you will be hated and slandered. If you would like for us to stop, stop being scum.

what the fuck?

[debord_saturday]

It's not innocuous at all. It seems blatant and scary.

[theoldanarchist]

I said "seemingly innocuous," as in he can claim that it is for a limited and reasonable purpose, when in fact it is opening the way for some terrible developments.

[debord_saturday]

yeah, I know. I was in a particularly pissy mood and felt like spouting radicalisms.

[theoldanarchist]

Yes, and profanity, apparently.

[splodgenoodles]

I'm surprised it's taken this long for someone to have the gall to try.

The internet was never going to be the haven for the free exchange of information and cultural resistance that people used to bang on about - not something I could ever really believe to be honest, I'm too old and cynical.

But yes, it sucks.

[theoldanarchist]

Oh, come on! You're giving up without a fight!

[splodgenoodles]

Hah! No, I haven't given up, just musing on all that starry eyed rhetoric that I used to hear about how radical and wonderful the internet was going to be - from the start I was wondering how and when the attacks would happen.
;)

[theoldanarchist]

Aahhh, I see. You were never a true believer to begin with... I understand. Unfortunately, I have been, but it's wearing off....